THE new album may be called Tomorrow’s World but the majority of Erasure's show in Newcastle last night consisted of hits of old.

That was no bad thing, and the new material that was played sat very well indeed with the oldies.

The night kicked off with a strong s't from Frankmusik, the man behind the production desk of Tomorrow’s World.

It was certainly one of the strongest support sets I have witnessed and got everyone in the mood from the off – as if we needed it.

Erasure have a strong and very loyal following, and few could have left disappointed after last night’s gig at the O2 Academy.

Andy Bell came on stage wearing a centurion-esque helmet, which was off by the end of the first song!

Then it was straight into one of the biggies – Always – before a live rendition of current single When I Start To Break It All Down. It was clear Andy was in fine voice – as powerful and emotive as always.

A great showman, if anything he was a little less upfront than usual, but that didn’t detract from a consistently solid set.

He, co-hort Vince Clarke and the two backing singers were resplendent in red and black, Andy doing his usual slow strip throughout the show, at one point throwing off a laced-up ‘man-basque’ for a vest, to whoops from the adoring fans. Blue Savannah, Breath of Life, Drama, Ship of Fools – all were sung with gusto.

Biggest cheers of the night were for the dance stormers such as Drama, Chorus and Victim of Love, but for me it was great to hear the likes of Fill Us With Fire, from Tomorrow’s World, live for the first time.

It was hard to make out Andy’s interaction with the crowd between songs, and there was a nod to Popstar to Operastar too when he brought the words on stage with him to Be With You (he forgot his lines on the show).

All in all, though, Erasure once again showed why they have remained at the top so long.